Electric valve



(No Model.)

W. S. JOHNSON.

ELECTRIC VALVE.

ented May 18, 1886.

P ast `mizing in the greatest degree the electric enrrnn rares WARREN S. JOHNSON, OF VHITEVATER, ASSIGNOR ELECTRIC SERVICE COMPANY,

TO THE JOHNSON OF MILVAUKFJE, VISCONSIN.

ELECTRIC VALVE..

QPESIFICATICN forming part of Letters Patent No. 342,018, dated May-18, 1886.

Application filed May B, 1885. Serial No. 164,762. (No model.)

To tZZ whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, WARREN S. JoHNsoN, of Vhitewater, in the county of Valwortli, and in the State of Wisconsin, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Electric Valves; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact descriptionthereof. I

My invention relates to an improvement in apparatus designed to control valves-such as steam-Valves--or dampers on furnaces, windovvs, transoms,ventilators, &c., by means of a current of' electricity. When temperatures are governed by such apparatus, it is usually done automatically by a' thermostat, which makes and breaks the electric circuit. Letters Patent i'or such improvements in such apparatus have already been granted to me, such patents being numbered 297,937 and 301,059.

My present invention consists of certain improvements in the previously-patented apparatus, which will be fully described hereinafter, and pointed out in the claims, the said improvements including the substitution for the closed-circuit batteryshown in my previous patents of what is called an open-circuit battery, -t'. c., one in which the current is used only momentarily, instead of for considerable periods of time, as in the ordinary closed-circuit battery. By my presentinvention the parts are so arranged that when a circuit is closed by some exciting cause external to the-valve itself it is instantly broken by the mechanism of the valve, thus econoergy. I am thus enabled to use a battery which requires less attention, and one that is less liable to become deranged when left Without care for long periods of time.

In the drawings, Figure l is a combined plan and sectional view of my invention, and Fig. 2 is a section ou line .r x, Fig. l.

A is the main valve; B, the electricallyactuated secondary valve, which serves to operate the main valve A.

C is a thermostat, which makes, at a remote point, the electric circuit which operates the valve B. The source of electricity is any convenient generator of electricity, preferably au open-circuit battery like the Leclanch, (indicated in the drawings at D.) Apipe, E, leads from some convenient reservoir of compressed air or other fluid under pressure, as Water, steam, the. The duid under pressure is controlled by the valve B in such a manner that it in turn will operate the valve A, as will be shown.

In Fig. l the main valve A is composed ot' the valve-chamber a, the valve-disk b, whose stem c passes through the stuiiing-box d, the support e,with the fulcrumj", the lever g,and cup h, which rests upon the flexible diaphragm i, of rubber or other suitable material, and the rigid cup-shaped backing j, which, with the diaphragm t', forms an airtight chamber, 7s. This chamber lr has a bottom orifice, through which any fluid under pressure may enter the chamber 7.1.. It is evident that if any fluid under pressure, as air or steam, be admitted to the chamber k it will force the cup 7L upward, carrying the long arm of the lever ,f/ with it, thereby forcing the short arm downward, and closing valve-disk b to its seat. The pipe m leads to the secondary valve B, which serves to control the admission and release of the fluid under pressure to and from the chamber lr. It is evident that any other form of chamber would do as well-for instance, a cylinder having a piston iu place ot' the iiexible diaphragm 't'.

In Fig. l of the drawings the cover of the valve-casing is removed to show the internal working parts. In practice the cover is screwed down, or in other ways made airtight, thus inclosing the valvcchamber from the external air, although this particular arrangement is not essential to my device, as any other arrangement embodying the same functional relation of parts would do as Well.

2 2 are electro-magnets whose poles 2 2 project through the valve-casing and appear upon the inside, so as to bring the field of magnetic force within the valve-casing, which avoids the unnecessary friction which might occur if any of the Working parts passed through air-tight joints.l The upper pole only of each magnet is shown in the drawings, the

' to close the orifice of the cone 11 by means of from the reservoir of compressed air or other other'polc and coil of each magnet being` hidl den by the one shown.

Pivoted at 3 (the center of the valve-casing) is the armature 4, which is common to the magnets 2 2, `but so placed that while it is facing one ot'these magnets it is notin the direct field of the other magnet. By this arrangement, whenever either of the electromagnets is excited, it will draw the armature into its own field and out ol" the direct field of the opposing magnet, the circuit of the other magnet being open at some external point. By alternating the excitation of the magnets, the armature 4 4 may be made to oscillate and perform the desired functions. Within the same valvecasing is the disk 5, pivoted at (i, and having the projecting arms 7 7, which arms are faced with leather or other suitable substance, as shown at 8 8, for covering openings, as next described. Through the valvecasing there project the hollow cones 10 and 11, whose internal extremities form seats for the leathers 8 8 when they are brought before them by the movement of the disk 5. The cone 10 is the extremity of the pipe E,leading suitable fiuid,and the cone 11 simply communicates with the open air through the valvecasing 1,which is non-magnetic or of non-magnetic material, such as brass. rllhe motion of' the armature 4 4 is communicated to the disk 5 through the rigid lever 12, which is pivoted to pin 13 in thedisk. As the armature stands in the drawings the orifice of the cone 10 is closed by the arm 7 of the disk 5. Vhen the armature oscillates so as to face the opposing magnet, the disk 5will be rotated sufficiently the arm 7'.

For the purpose of holding the arms 7 7 close against the cones 10 11, so as to make them air-tight, also to hold the armature in its proper position while at rest and to insure the breaking of' the circuit by the circuitbreaker, the disk 5 is furnished with a spring, 14, fastened'at the pin 13 at one extremity and tothe valve-casing or other. support at 15. This spring, being at its fixed end fastened eccentrically4 to the center of the disk 5, tends to hold one of the arms, 7 or 7, of the disk firmly against one ofthe cones 10 and 11,whichever it may be in contact with. Another important feature of this spring is its movement over a sensitive center-that is, in the movement from one side to the other it has a tendency to hold either of the ports closed. andvnot ,to remain midway. The tension of the spring while at rest is always in favor of the last magnetcxeited,and does not tend to bring any ofthe operative parts into equilibrium. It is evident that an inverted pendulum or similar device would serve the same purpose.

In connection with the'casing 1 of the secondary valve B are the binding-posts 16 16', a prolongation of each post passing through the valve-casing so as to project into its interior.

These posts are insulated from the valve-casing by means of the hard-rubber bushings shown at 17 17.

Attached to the armature 4 4 at either end are the strips 18 18', which in their journeyingsalternately break the electrical contact With the' posts 16 16, and thus prevent the spark at the thermostat C. Such spark would soon spoil the delicate points and make the apparatus inoperative.

I do not deem it essential to minutely describe the thermostat C, which is of a wellknown form, and whose operation depends on the differential expansion of two substances. In the thermostat shown, 19 is the fixed end of the differential bar, and 22 the free end of said bar, having contact-plates. 23 is an ad` justiug-screw to set the thermostat at different temperatures. 20 20' are opposing contactposts, which serve with the differential bar to close separate electric circuits. From these points, respectively, there pass the wires 24 24 to the n'iagnets 2 2, and from the thermostatic bar there passes the wire 25 to the battery and then to the casing of valves B, whichis metallic, although non-magnetic, as stated.

As shown in the drawings, the valve A is open, since the valve-disk bis raised from its seat. The chamber 7c is not expanded, since there is a free egress for its contents through the opening Z to the open orifice 11 in B. The arm 7'of the disk 5in valve B closes the orifice 10 and prevents the escape of the fluid from t-he reservoir into the interior of the valve B. If, now, the thermostatic strip -in C moves to the left and touches the point 20, a circuit will be formedthrough 25, 4, 18, 16, 2, and 24, the armature 4 4 will be attracted to the magnet in circuit, and the spring 14 will be thrown to the opposite side of the center 6 of the disk 5. At the same time the port 10 will be opened and the port 11 closed, also the contact-strip 18 on the left of the armature 4 will haveleft the point of post 16, thus breaking the electric current. The breaking of the current at this point is a very important feature of my device, -for the eXtra current produced by the breaking does not burn the delicate points of the thermostat. As the breaking is produced by the direct movement of the armature, it is always certain, and as the contacts are sliding they wear themselves bright. The strip 18 on the right of the armature will have come into contact with the point of post 16, so that the opposing magnet shall be in circuit whenever the button 22shall touch post 20in C. As a result of this movement just traced, the interior of valve B and the eXpansible chamber 7c in A will be filled with the fluid under pressure.l The expanding of chamber 7s will close the valve A, and it will remain closed until by a change of temperature the thermostat is thrown in circuit with t-he opposing magnet, when the disk 5, with arms 7 7", will be partly revolved, so as to close port 10 and open 11, and the ICO IlO

armature will again stand as shown in the drawings. The duid under pressure is now free to escape and the valve A to open.

Vhen this invention is attached to a heating apparatus,the movements of the thermostatic bar due to the variations of the temperature operate the main valve, and thus regulate the supply of heat. By the mutual reaction thus produced a uniform temperature may be kept.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. The combination of a main valve serving to govern a passage for steam, gas, air, or other substance, an expansion chamber whose movable wall, through proper mechanism, operates said valve, an electric valve serving to admit a iluid under pressure into said expansion-chamber, said electric valve consisting of opposing electro-magnets, an armature, valve mechanism controlled by the armature, and suitable circuit-breaking devices for the circuits of the opposing magnets, also controlled by the armature, said circuit-breaking devices being independent of external closing devices, and said external circuitclosing devices, whereby a movement of the armature in one direction breaks the circuit of said magnet at a point distinct from its initial closing-point and places the opposing circuit in condition to be closed by the action of external closing devices, actuates the electric valvc,and admits the fluid under pressure into said expansible chamber, and thus operates the main valve in one direction, and the closing ofthe opposing circuit by its external closing device allows the escape ofthe rluid under pressure from said expansible chamber and operates the valve in the opposite direction, substantially as set forth.

2. In an electric valve, the combination of opposing electro-magnets and armaturavalve mechanism controlled by the armature, and suitable contacts for the circuits of the opposing magnets, also controlled bythe armature, but distinct and independent from external and primary closing devices, and the external closing devices, whereby the closing of one circuit at an external point causes a movement of the armature in one direction and breaks the circuit of said magnet at the n1agneticallyactuated circuit-breaker, while it is not broken at the initial point, and at the same time places the opposing circuit in condition to be closed by the laction ot' external closing devices, substantially as set forth.

3. In an electrically actuated valve, the combination of opposing electro magnets and armature, valve mechanism controlled by the armature, and suitable contacts for the circuits ofthe opposing magnets, also controlled by the armature, said contacts being independent of external closing devices, and a thermostat in circuit with the opposing magnets, whereby a movement of the armature in one direction by one of the electro-magnets 5. The combination, in a temperaturelregulator, of the valves A and B, and intermediate expansible chamber connected with the disk of valve A by a lever and with the interior of valve B by a pipe, and armature and opposing electro-magnets in circuit with a thermostat, inlet and outlet ports for compressed air, and a device operated by the armature for opening and closing the air-ports, as set forth.

6. In an electrically actuated valve, the combination of opposing electro-magnets, op posing airports, mechanism actuated by sald electromagnets to alternately close one port while it opens the other, and a spring or its equivalent serving, when said electromagnets are not excited, to hold one or the other of the ports closed and the armature before the magnet last excited, substantially as set forth.

7. The combination, with a main valve operated by fluid-pressure, of a secondary valve actuated by opposing electro-magnets, said secondary valve having opposing air-ports actuated by said magnets, and a spring or its equivalent attached to the valve mechanism, serving, when said electrdmagnets are not excited, to hold one or the other ot' the ports tightly closed and the armature before the magnet last excited, as set forth.

S. In an electrically actuated valve, the combination, with opposing electromagnets and their armature, valve mechanism, and circuit-breaking devices operated by said armature, of a spring or its equivalent moving over a sensitive center whenever either electromagnet is energized, whereby the action of said spring tends to hold either one or the other port tightly closed, the armature before the magnet last energized, and the circuitof s aid magnet broken, substantially as set forth.

9. In an electrically -aetuated valve, the combination, with the electro magnets, the armature, and the valve mechanism operated thereby, of sliding circuit-breaking strips, whereby a movement of the armature in either direction breaks the current which produced said motion and places the opposing circuit in position to be closed from an external source and at an external point, substantially as set forth.

10. rlhe combination of a main valve operated by pressure, and a secondary electricallyactuated valve serving to operate the main valve by fluid-pressure, said secondary valve IOO IIO

consisting of electro-magnets, a magneticallyl opposing circuit in condition to be closed by moved armature, valve mechanism, and circuit-breakers, whereby the closing of the circuit at a remote point operates the secondary and main valves and breaks the circuit at the circuit-breaker within the valve itself, substantially as set forth.

1l. In an electricallyactuated valve for controlling iiuids, the combination, with the valve proper, of electro-magnetic actuating mechanism, electric circuits controlled by external circuitclosing devices, and `circuitbreaking devices, also controlled by said electromagnetic mechanism, whereby the closing of one circuit by its external circuit-closing device serves to operate the valve in one di rection, breaks said circuit at` one circuitbreaking point, while it remains closed at the external closing device, and places the other circuit in condition to be closed by the action of its external closing device, and whereby the closing of said other circuit by its external closing device serves to operate the valve in the other direction, breaks said circuit at the other circuit-breaking device, and places the the action of its external circuit-closing device, substantially as set forth.

12. The combination, with a main valve actuated by fluid-pressure, of an electrically-actuated secondary valve, said secondary valve consisting of electro-magnetic actuating mechanism. and circuitbreaking devices,also actuated by the magnetic force, whereby the closing of the electric circuit from some external source operates the secondary valve, and by its means the main valve at the same time breaks said circuit at a point distinct from its initial closing-point and leaves the armature at the opposite point of its prescribed movement, substantially as set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto set my hand, at Milwaukee, in the county of Milwaukee and State of Wisconsin, in the presence of two witnesses.

WARREN S. JOHNSON.

Witnesses:

S. S.l SToUT, H. J. FoRsYTH. 

